FHWA ANNOUNCES VEHICLE-TO-INFRASTRUCTURE GUIDANCE

V2I technologies capture vehicle-generated traffic data, wirelessly providing information such as advisories from the infrastructure to the vehicle that inform the driver of safety, mobility, or environment-related conditions. In a sophisticated scenario, velocities & accelerations of vehicles and intervehicle distances would be suggested by the infrastructure on the basis of traffic conditions, with the goal of optimizing overall emissions, fuel consumption and traffic velocities.

CARLOADS INCREASED WHILE INTERMODAL TRAFFIC DECREASED

Total US rail traffic for the week ending January 14th came in at 516,229 carloads and intermodal units, marking a 2 percent increase compared with traffic the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

UBER WILL HAVE ACCESS TO REAL-LIFE DATA TO IMPROVE AUTONOMOUS HAULING

The ride-matching service Uber has entered the heavy-duty trucking business. UberFreight load-matching service opened its portal for business December 27, 2016. The company has kept a lid on the operation thus far but you can register on the site as either a carrier or a shipper.

SEEKING INSIGHT ABOUT CURRENT TECHNOLOGIES WITH SAFERTRUCKS.COM

Bendix has launched a new hub of commercial vehicle information at its website safertrucks.com, focusing on a new multimedia center called the Knowledge Dock. Bendix takes their commitment to education and support seriously. This outlet was developed to provide a fresh voice and easy way to stay connected to the industry. The material is available 24/7/365 where partners can access the base on their own terms and when they need it most.

Throughout my decades of experience in the collection industry, I have heard and read plenty of war stories as to how collections may sometimes be carried out, not only in the U.S. but in other countries as well. We read about abuses and horrific treatment by unprofessional debt collectors. There are similar egregious stories in most countries. For example, someone recently pointed out to me an interesting article in The China Post about how the country’s Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested a ring of twelve people, allegedly selling modified arms, who also resorted to using violence and drug-related crimes when demanding money from debtors.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today proposed a set of comprehensive national prerequisite training standards for entry-level commercial truck and bus operators seeking to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) reflects consensus recommendations of a negotiated rulemaking committee comprised of FMCSA representatives and 25 stakeholders and responds to a Congressional mandate imposed under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act. Public comment is sought as the next phase of the rulemaking. - See more at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/fmcsa-proposes-national-training-standards-entry-level-truck-and-bus-drivers#sthash.QRfqT98N.dpuf

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the availability of credit assistance for critical infrastructure projects across the country through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program. Secretary Foxx encouraged states and cities across the country to submit letters of interest for direct loans, loan guarantees, and standby lines of credit through TIFIA as a result of the recently enacted Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). - See more at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-foxx-announces-notice-funding-availability-infrastructure#sthash.KQPVGRUn.dpuf